The Big One

Although I am still adding the odd species most nights I trap, the contents of my moth trap have become a bit predictable over the last few weeks.  There have been migrants trickling in though which is why I have kept going (with the Striped Hawkmoth last week proof it was worth the repeated attempts!). 

Looking at the forecast, I wasn't going to miss Monday night of this week.  A warm front moving in quite fast from the south west, with a bit of rain pre-dawn, so real potential to deliver some more migrants - and I was right!  I had the best sight ever when I opened the trap up...

An epic and absolutely pristine Convolvulus Hawkmoth

The markings are stunning, this is the freshest one I have ever seen

Although it's wings were going at 100bpm a nice shot showing its pink bits!

I have only ever caught one Convolvulus previously, which took ten years of trapping at Mum and Dad's and it was a very worn individual (trapped 15th Sept 2021 - see HERE).  Absolutely thrilled to get one at my new place within the first year!

Otherwise in the trap, the only other migrants were micros but there was a decent haul of these (yes I am starting to take more notice of the litter critters!), including: 8 Rusty-dot Pearl, 5 Olive-tree Pearl, 4 European Corn-borer, 1 Rush Veneer and best of all a bit of a rarity (and new one for me) with an Old World Webworm, a really smart little moth...

Only about twenty Devon records from what I can see - and none in 2024

 

Back to the macros and a highlight within the trap that wasn't a migrant was this lovely Wood Carpet.  Have only ever caught two before, years ago, so was really pleased to recognise it as soon as I turned the egg box over...

A lovely example

 

As I write this the rain is falling heavy outside.  The weather has finally broken!  Hopefully with it will be an arrival of birds, we shall see...